my mother. The original of which (now returned by the counsellor) as
well as the new draughts, I have put into my beloved's hands.

These settlements of my mother made the lawyer's work easy; nor can she
have a better precedent; the great Lord S. having settled them, at the
request of my mother's relations; all the difference, my charmer's are
100l. per annum more than my mother's.

I offered to read to her the old deed, while she looked over the draught;
for she had refused her presence at the examination with the clerk: but
this she also declined.

I suppose she did not care to hear of so many children, first, second,
third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sons, and as many daughters, to
be begotten upon the body of the said Clarissa Harlowe.

Charming matrimonial recitativoes!--though it is always said lawfully
begotten too--as if a man could beget children unlawfully upon the body
of his own wife.--But thinkest thou not that these arch rogues the
lawyers hereby intimate, that a man may have children by his wife before
marriage?--This must be what they mean. Why will these sly fellows put
an honest man in minds of such rogueries?--but hence, as in numberless
other instances, we see, that law and gospel are two very different
things.

Dorcas, in our absence, tried to get at the wainscot-box in the dark
closet. But it cannot be done without violence. And to run a risk of
consequence now, for mere curiosity-sake, would be inexcusable.

Mrs. Sinclair and the nymphs are all of opinion, that I am now so much a